The original plan of the European Commission assumed very stringent rules for the extension of the driving license for older drivers, and imposed on them the obligation of medical examinations every few years. This solution assumed that Drivers at the age of 70 and more would have to every five years undergo compulsory medical examinations. Lack of a positive opinion of a specialist, due to a negative result or failure to appear on a sheep, would result in the automatic loss of driving license.
This solution, however, did not find applause among MEPs who considered them potentially discriminatory on the elderly and limiting them the right to free movement and participation in economic and social life.
Instead of drastic law imposing mandatory medical examinations, a different solution to drivers’ health assessment was introduced.
Self -esteem instead of research. What is it about?
Issuing a driving license in all community countries is associated with some Driver’s health assessment. In some countries, medical examinations will be required, and self -esteem is enough.
New proposals assume that The driver is to determine his own ability to drive vehicles by completing a special questionnaire. Another way of self -esteem is to use the interactive online platform, thanks to which the senior will be able to assess his skills.
However, whether self -assessment will be a form of assessment or, however, whether drivers should do at least a basic medical examination (vision and circulatory system), ultimately the governments of individual EU Member States are to decide.
More and more older drivers on the roads
European Union societies are getting old at an increasingly faster pace. Until 2050 in the entire community Nearly half of the population will be 50 or moreand the average life expectancy will increase to 76 years, therefore the number of drivers in the elderly will be much higher. Which may justify the EU.
Meanwhile, as “Rzeczpospolita” reports, statistics show that in Poland drivers after 65 years of age cause relatively few accidents compared to other age groups, although this number is not small at all. In 2024, drivers after 60 caused 3866 accidents in which 339 people were killed.
